Like children, ye all are riding on your skirts: ye have taken hold of the corner of your skirt (to serve) as a horse.
از حق إن الظن لا يغنی رسید ** مرکب ظن بر فلک‌‌ها کی دوید
From God came (the text), “Verily, opinion doth not enable (you) to dispense (with the Truth)”: when did the steed of opinion run (mount) to the Heavens?
اغلب الظنین فی ترجیح ذا ** لا تماری الشمس فی توضیحها
While preferring (in case of doubt) the stronger of the two (alternative) opinions, do not doubt whether you see the sun when it is shining!
آن گهی بینید مرکبهای خویش ** مرکبی سازیده‌‌اید از پای خویش
At that time (when the spirit returns to God) behold your steeds! Ye have made a steed of your own foot.
وهم و فکر و حس و ادراک شما ** همچو نی دان مرکب کودک هلا3445
Come, recognise that your imagination and reflection and sense-perception and apprehension are like the reed-cane on which children ride.
علمهای اهل دل حمالشان ** علمهای اهل تن احمالشان
The sciences of the mystics bear them (aloft); the sciences of sensual men are burdens to them.
علم چون بر دل زند یاری شود ** علم چون بر تن زند باری شود
When knowledge strikes on the heart (is acquired through mystical experience), it becomes a helper (yárí); when knowledge strikes on the body (is acquired through the senses), it becomes a burden (bárí).
گفت ایزد یحمل اسفاره ** بار باشد علم کان نبود ز هو
God hath said, “(Like an ass) laden with his books”: burdensome is the knowledge that is not from Himself.
علم کان نبود ز هو بی‌‌واسطه ** آن نپاید همچو رنگ ماشطه
The knowledge that is not immediately from Himself does not endure, (it is) like the tire woman's paint.
لیک چون این بار را نیکو کشی ** بار بر گیرند و بخشندت خوشی3450
But when you carry this burden well, the burden will be removed and you will be given (spiritual) joy.